Correction appended
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A scene from 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' in an image courtesy of Warner Bros.
With the fifth installment of the ”Harry Potter” film series released Wednesday, discussion of whether or not the boy wizard is appropriate for Christian audiences is expected to become more heated and wide-spread.
Many ministry leaders in the past have criticized the ”Harry Potter” series over its use of magic and argue that it promotes the occult – an assertion that, if true, could be serious since the movies and literature target children who can be most affected by negative spiritual content.
But even after five movies-worth of discussions, Christians are still split on the issue.
”By now, there's nothing new under the sun when it comes to the use of magic in the Harry Potter series of books and movie,” explained critic Lindy Keffer of the Christian movie site Plugged In Online. “Even with all the magic in the air, the worldview of ‘[Order of the] Phoenix’ can't be called consistently occult. Like the world we live in today, it's a hodgepodge of ideas that are accepted simultaneously, even if they don't really fit together.”
Dr. Ted Baehr, founder of MovieGuide.org, however, was much stricter in his review.
“[T]he movie version of ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ is liable to still do great business at the box office,” he wrote. “Regrettably, however, this means that even more children will be lured away from God and His Infallible Word, which says that witchcraft is evil and abhorrent. Instead of dreaming about the joys that God gives us through Jesus Christ, they will be dreaming of casting spells, using magic spells, riding brooms, and rebelling against their parents.”
In the newest “Potter” film, Harry’s magical world is interrupted by an evil disturbance. The main villain of the films, Lord Voldemort, has returned to the world and is mounting an army to regain his former strength.
Harry, his friends, and several mature wizards such as Professor Albus Dumbledore must struggle with the current Ministry of Magic who refuses to recognize the dire situation. In an act of civil disobedience, the group must unite to prepare for an attack from Voldemort, despite the wishes of the wizardry government. The Order of the Phoenix is reunited, bringing together the “good” wizards to again fend off the dark lord.
While there is obviously still a huge outcry against the new movie from several conservative Christian groups who warn families to keep their children away from the film, asserting that it can leave ill effects for normalizing a dark spiritual world, there has also been a new wave of Christians supporting the literature. They feel that others exaggerate the problems of witchcraft found in the books.
One author and home-schooling mother recently had a change of heart when she read the books. After keeping “Potter” out of her house for years, Nancy Brown from Illinois gave the books a chance and said she found the books to be actually positive for child growth. She has written a new novel, “The Mystery of Harry Potter,” that came out mid-June to even encourage Christian parents with the material.
"After reading Harry Potter for myself, I had to conclude that the Potter series is not about the occult or witchcraft but actually just the opposite," explained Brown in a statement. "The stories are morality tales filled with excellent opportunities for family discussions. In short, the Harry Potter books are great for all families and especially Christian parents, who for centuries have used literature to illustrate the struggle between good and evil when teaching their children." Continue >>
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I'll try to be respectful about this, but I find it appalling that Christians spend so much time trying to tear down the actions and rights of others. Let me explain something. Witchcraft HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SATAN!! Witchcraft is what is referred to as "pagan" and all that means is that Nature, not Satan is the object of worship. Witchcraft has been around long before Christianity. As for Harry Potter, the message is not demonic. It is about friendship and love that stems from it that is so powerful that even the most evil forces in the Universe cannot break it. Harry Potter books are about doing what is right, even when it can get you hurt or killed. I really think that Christians need to stop acting as though they have the right to police the world, and believing their judgment is absolute. Christians should worry about their OWN faith and how they live their OWN life and stop trying to tear down everyone else.
ok so i am a harry potter fan i have read the books three times each and all i have to say is it to me bascilly shows what the world is but with witch craft. and if you belive in your faith and your faith is strong than it will not affect you but if you dont belive in your faith or its not strong enough then it will tear you away from god but my faith is strong i have only been saved like 4 weeks but i read the books before i got saved and they didnt affect me because even though i wasnt saved i still had a strong faith and belived in it so i think only people who can handle it should read it but i am not telling you that you should never let your kids see them because belive me i know from my past that we will find a way to read them.
BlackRose Warrior, you are seriously the smartest person on here. The others are the same people who when I was at the Christian Fantasy Book tour in July, gave some of the authors "the evil glare" just because they were writing Christian Fantasy. All you haters go read Dragons in Our Midst, Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul, The Door Within Trilogy by Wayne Thomas Batson.
Ignore the spelling mistakes in my below post. I am a huge multitasker who does too many things at once.
Okay I know what you are saying, but are seriously making me extremely perturbed by now acting like Harry Potter is some type of pornography. Just because I freakin read Harry Potter, does not mean I'm going to have sex out of wedlock. Also, when I read Narnia, I became obsessed with Narnia, I wanted to go there when I was little. In the end it heightened my interest in God. Harry Potter saved my life, by helping me to understand that in our world we will always be surrounded by dark forces. Are saying that is bad, You just said its bad to become obsessed. Harry Potter had definitely not made me a Wiccan, its made me stronger Christian with its them of love and honor and truth. Its not the nasty pornographic book that many Christian debunk it as. Anyways, Guess what I am obsessed with fantasy books. I can change your view of Fantasy books, please read Legends of the Guardian King By:Karen Hancock, Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis. My question is have you read Harry Potter? Most people who outright say its bad have never read it, they assume the televison evangelist who said it was bad, who probably did not read them either,
Fantasyfreak-
I agree with what you are saying to a certain extent. There is nothing wrong with fantasy or using your imagination. But the problem with Harry Potter is that it endorses sorcery and witchcraft. You said "Its only a sin IF YOU P...R....A...C...T...I...C...E.. Witchcraft, see the word practice". I have to disagree with you there. Why even be involved in something that could be "misconstrued" as a sin? The Bible tells us to flee from all appearance of evil. That's like saying, "Well, I look at pornography, but I'm not having sex out of wedlock, so it's not a sin." Do you see how absurd that is?!
The other problem that people have with Harry Potter and other fantasy like books and series is that they have a tendency to become addictive to a certain extent. Many people get caught up in the imaginative worlds and stories, and it becomes the center of their life. This is a problem. So maybe the major issue people have is not the book itself, but the idolistic quality it can take on- and that can be anything- not just Harry Potter.
God gave us imaginations to use them, yes. I personally have never heard of anyone that wanted to keep their child from using his imagination, but okay, maybe you have. I say give your kid a book to read that is completely wholesome in everyway- where there is no QUESTION as the morals. The Bible itself has some pretty awesome stories for kids to use their imaginations on... I'm just saying.
Just some thoughts for you to ponder should you ever return to this post...
I'm sorry but there is a reason why I read Christianity Today and not Focus on the Family, because Christianity Today has actual smart writers who have read the Potter series and do not act like Pharisees! I have read the Harry Potter books, never have I gotten into Wiccan. Never have I gone outside and waved a wand screaming incantations. Yes! you may all think I am hell bound because I read Harry Potter. I'm sorry I am just sick of how much people go to scream their views in other people's faces and become all militant to get the books out of schools. Its absolutely ridiculous! You people are worse than Professer Umbridge herself. You people make me laugh, you are no different than the school Eustace and and Jill had to attend in Narnia. CS Lewis meant the metaphor of the school making the students learn useless things to parody the fact that some Christians do not want their kids to have imaginations. Also, you know there is such thing as CHRISTIAN FANTASY. Its some pretty awesome stuff, even though people look down on it just because it has dragons and fantasy worlds. Instead of boring your children by devoiding them of imagination, give them something to read. God gave us imaginations for a reason. Of course it can be used for bad, yet anything can be used for bad. Give your children Door Within By Wayne Batson, Dragons in Our Midst by Bryan Davis, Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul. All these are wonderful books that are fantasy, and contain Spiritual truths. Fantasy is not bad! Harry Potter is not bad, it has the same good versus evil element as LOTRs and Narnia. Why are you people so militant about it! Its just a book! If you are wasting your life trying to get these out of schools and verbally attacking someone if they are Christians like me who like Harry Potter, then please go out help the poor, go to other countries and show God's love. God does not want you to turn off Christians by making people think all Christians are all hotheads who think anything with mystical beasts and talking animals are that of Satan's creation. I respect those who share different opinions than me, but not those who are hotheads and want everyone to believe what they believe. I like Harry Potter, you may not, and you are not going to stop me from reading it. God never said it was a sin to read Harry Potter. Its only a sin IF YOU P...R....A...C...T...I...C...E.. Witchcraft, see the word practice. Sorry but reading Harry Potter does not mean you practice Witchcraft. For all you hotheads here are some articles written by Christians to ponder, and no they are Christians, not Wiccans.
Article Links
http://www.ctlibrary.com/48545
http://www.infuzemag.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1262
The amount of filth and evil that is now available to children is unbelievable. This devil filled rollercoaster ride to hell should be banned and the writer punished. Anything my children are exposed to is extremely sensored by me to protect their souls. I have cut off my mother-in law and a lot of my family because they refuse to stop bringing subversive books and videos to my children. It starts off innocently they watch sesame street, a show my children are forbidden to watch. They sprinkle questionable education snippets with full on blasphemes. It is full of Talking animals and demons(that they call monsters). The world is sick. Why is it that we can only entertain children with demons and possessed animals. This Harry Potter now has now made millions of Worshippers(readers) searching for a black church to worship the devil. I am in the process of finding out how to qualify for home schooling as we speak. I refuse to lose my babe's immortal souls and I will take on the responsibility for saving them . The Bible is the only book they will ever need. We will huddle together at the End of Days comforted in knowing that our souls are safe. I will pray for all these Harry potter worshippers souls .
Jaime
Ah, all right...so if I kill someone but am very religious, I'll go to Heaven, right? That's how it works, according to your standards. And no, I did not say that a spiritual life is boring. It is in fact very interesting, as I feel I live one myself. The spiritual are not afraid of the end; only the religious are.
man, this one is tough for me as well. however, my spirit just doesn't like the movie series... it's not really that entertaining. there are godly shows that add to the spirit. I agree with PamiT, "I can do all things, but not all things are good for me."
Why does it have to point to Satan to be healthy imaginitive fun? Could one instead encourage their children to emulate a young David taking on Goliath or Noah building an ark? It amazes me that an occult-steeped non-reality is seen as imaginitive and that a prayer for salvation (for either yourself or others) is seen as dull.
Good works = so what. Works don't get you in. The battle is spiritual.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (..maybe false teachers purporting that evil practices condemned in the Bible are harmless).
Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Is it wrong to put a little imagination into the world these days? Or are we supposed to just sit with our heads bowed in prayer day and night until we drop dead in the hope of gaining salvation? I played "Harry Potter" with my friends when I was a kid, but I knew I wasn't really doing magic, nor did I feel like bowing down and spontaneously worshipping the Devil after I put one of the HP books down. Stop focusing on stupid little nitpicks and focus on the world around you. People are dying. People are hurting. All over the world, there is misery and death and war. Fix that before you whine about subliminal messages in children's books.
Even if the government, the entire media, Hollywood, and the majority of “Christians” joined forces to make rebellion against God acceptable and in vogue, God would still hold each person individually accountable for their personal actions and attitudes against Him - some of which begins with a fascination with the occult.
As Samuel said to Saul, “For rebellion is as the sin of WITCHCRAFT, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king." (1 Samuel 15:23)
QUESTION: Toward the end of Saul’s kingship from whom did King Saul begin receiving his advice from? ANSWER: A medium or witch. 1 Samuel 28:7-14
I believe that if Christians would live a life holy surrendered in obedience to God and allow the Holy Spirit too fill us and direct our steps and speech we would walk in His kingdom authority and power to advance His Kingdom and the gospel. Youth who have felt powerless and have been overwhelmed by a sense of meaninglessness in life (since the pervading secular world-view demands it) many times become ensnared into the occult, because they have not seen a demonstration of power of God in the Church. We are not to follow the signs and wonders, signs and wonders are supposed to follow us who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s all start preaching the Gospel by the Power of the Holy Spirit working in Jesus' name through us! I have seen many youth and adults alike become radically saved and heaven-bound as a result.
Even if the government, the entire media, Hollywood, and the majority of “Christians” joined forces to make rebellion against God acceptable and in vogue, God would still hold each person individually accountable for their personal actions and attitudes against Him - some of which begins with a fascination with the occult.
As Samuel said to Saul, “For rebellion is as the sin of WITCHCRAFT, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king." (1 Samuel 15:23)
QUESTION: Toward the end of Saul’s kingship from whom did King Saul begin receiving his advice from? ANSWER: A medium or witch. 1 Samuel 28:7-14
I believe that if Christians would live a life holy surrendered in obedience to God and allow the Holy Spirit too fill us and direct our steps and speech we would walk in His kingdom authority and power to advance His Kingdom and the gospel. Youth who have felt powerless and have overwhelmed sense of meaninglessness in life (since the pervading secular world-view demands it) many times become ensnared into the occult, because they have not seen a demonstration of power of God in the Church. We are not to follow the signs and wonders, signs and wonders are supposed to follow us who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s all start preaching the Gospel by the Power of the Holy Spirit working in Jesus' name through us! I have seen many youth and adults alike become radically saved and heaven-bound as a result. AMEN
Obviously occult. Deuteronomy 18:9 - 12. It doesn't matter if he is a child witch or a good witch any more than it would matter if he was a child mass murderer or a good mass murderer. funny how we like to view the sins against God as trivial, but it someone is not tolerant of us or our opinion..we strike back a little harder. witchcraft doesn't impact us as immediately as someone stealing our Visa card, but the worship and devotion to one other than God - we hardly notice it. I believe this reveals more about the sad state of our church than we would like to admit.
I like Harry Potter and JK Rowlings series, I've enjoyed reading them all. At the same time I know the Gospel Truth like lots of people. I personally have not have my faith shaken whatsoever and therefore I believe that any1 with a true relationship with God will have the same result. An entertaining read and a good time. Also, if any kid was interested in "magic" after enjoying the movie they would be confined to waving around a stick speaking nursery rhymes. There aren't any real incantations or occult rituals in the series that would give any kid any unGod-granted power.
DannyPoo makes a foundaitonal point - parents dialog with your kids about Harry Potter and other books, movies, video games, etc. Kids are impressionable, this is God's design for passing on the faith, but to give up such responsibility is simply unfaithfulness.
J.K. Rowlings has been gifted with tremendous creativity. Having just seen the Order of the Phonex, it amazes me that she can sustain such innovative creativity over such a long period of time, buildings that expand to reveal a new column of floors, how does she do it? Where does she think up these things? Is this imagination not a gift from the divine? Eugene Peterson suggests that imagination is the cousin of faith. It seems to me that to stifle one you will cause harm to the other. Parents and mentors are intrumental in God's plan to guide and mold this gift of creativity.
Another point is well made in that we have all sorts of imaginitive media well supported by faithful Christians, talking animals, "Mirror mirror on the wall" incantations, Herby the "living" VW, a Rat in France that can cook, etc. These are the products of harmless imaginations, creative people exercising their gifts from The Creator, yet they can become dangerous fantisies, if not guided by loving, faithful parents and Christian mentors.
Let's celebrate the gifts of God and continue to be responsible with our children's developing imaginations!
I have no interest in the series.
But think of what the church could do with all of those millions of dollars that people are paying to see this, and other movies like it.
And yet we don't have enough to tithe???
We live in an age of the blurring of 'traditional' standards. Movies like these & the disunity of Christian oppinion on them further blurr our concepts. Who shall we listen to? Everything is now debatable & can be justified by the individual himself. We need to prepare ourselves & the new generation by working on our most powerful weapon, our relaionship with God. As Christians we need to draw near to God & listen ONLY to Him. What a Christian Authority says may only be his/her/their oppinion. But it is what God says that's important. What does God say to you about this movie & other issues in your life? Stop listening to people. It's time to tune in & listen to Him.
I don't understand. All one has to do is read the Bible. God says witchraft is sin, Why do so many Christians find it so appealing ? Something is very wrong. There are demonic spirits behind this stuff,and you may not believe it but it will and does affect you in one degree or another,
There is nothing " fun" about witchraft. and for those who would say that is just my opion,I would say again, Read your Bible. Art
Speaking as one who used to be a practicing Wiccan, the Harry Potter series is about has much "real" magic in it as any Disney cartoon ... yet I find that the most outspoken Christian critics of Harry Potter happen to have Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, etc. in their home video collections. In fact, the "spells" that are the closest to those that a Wiccan would utter (i.e., when Ron tries to turn his rat yellow, or when Seamus tries to turn water into rum) always - and I do mean ALWAYS - backfire for the characters. Also, it is very clearly stated in the books that those who are not born magical have NO CHANCE of ever becoming so. It is pure fantasy, cut and dry. If you're not willing to give up Grimm or Aesop or Disney, don't throw the first stone, because they're all the same in terms of realism.
Wow, that's a great testimony dsprince. That's something for me to keep in mind. Thanks for sharing.
I would just like to share this quickly: as a kid growing up in the late 70s and early 80s, I was fascinated with magical stories, and would always order books about witches and magical things from Scholastic Books in school. There were some really great ones like Eleanor Estes' "The Witch Family". I was a very intelligent kid, who skipped a few grades and was in accelerated reading, etc.
But when I was 12 years old, I already knew these things were REAL, and I searched out witchcraft at the local library and even ordered a "pocket-size" edition of how to practice witchcraft. Thank God it was lost in the mail.
These films and books may seem like a lot of fun, but they open the door to children like myself. Please, parents, think. God knows what He is talking about in the Bible, even if it seems outdated or is in the "Old Testament", so "it no longer is for us."
Thanks for listening.
I t makes me wonder why we are having this conversation- if it has the appearance of being wrong, we, as Christians aren't supposed to do it. Just because everyone else is and we want to see it doesn't me we have to, or should. PLUS, there are so many other good books and movies to entertain us that don't involve things that God specifically names in His word to avoid. As the apostle Paul says "I can do all things, but, not all things are good for me."
I am kind of against how the movie is getting darker and darker though.
Personally, I like watching the Harry Potter films. They're entertaining, just like the many other fictional flicks out there. Watching it doesn't make me believe any more in witchcraft than I would if I didn't watch it (which I don't). If you believe that stories like this corrupt innocent minds then there's probably a lot more books out there that you'd have keep away from children, including comic books about superheroes, for example (not the best example, I know, but the first that came to mind).
I am kinda of "split" on this. Lord of the Rings for example, also contained Magic, yet Iat the time I approved whole heartedly of that movie. I am not sure I can give an un-biased viewpoint because of that. However Magic, or at least the supernatural does exist, yet the use of the supernatural apart from our Creator is sin, which is generally the case when someone is attempting to use it in real life. In the case of Lord of the Rings however, we are talking about an alternate reality of sorts where the same rules simply don't apply, is this possibly the case with Harry Potter? you decide, I am unable to give a strong opinion either way.
One word of great warning that holds true regardless of bias, if you are a Christian who has young children who are either reading Harry Potter, or watching the movie. Be sure to sit down and talk with them about the spiritual dangers of "magic". This goes the same for movies with violent themes.
I don't really know what to think about the Potter films. Seems to me that they are more just fun magic than occult. The movies have been getting darker, however. We'll see how 'Phoenix' is.